Backstage Pass with GDA Speakers

In this episode of Backstage Pass, host Gail Davis talks with world champion blind golfer Jeremy Poincenot . Jeremy shares his inspiring journey of losing his sight at 19 due to a rare genetic disorder and how he discovered the joy and power of interdependence. Show Notes He discusses the importance of asking for help, maintaining perspective during adversity, and the tools he offers to help other...

In this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Jay Baer - business growth and customer experience expert and 2nd most popular tequila influencer in the world! Jay shares the keys to customer loyalty amidst the evolving landscape shaped by AI and actionable strategies for maximum impact. Show Notes In this engaging conversation, Jay Baer, a Hall of Fame speaker and expert in business...

Gail Davis is joined by Jan Langbein (CEO of Genesis Women’s Shelter) and Karen White (President & CEO of Texas Women’s Foundation) share powerful stories and hard-earned lessons from years of leading mission-driven organizations—and hosting events that truly move people to act . Show Notes Dallas nonprofit leaders Jan Langbein and Karen Hughes White discuss the intricacies of planning success...

On this episode of Backstage Pass , Gail Davis sits down with Felipe Gomez to explore how adopting the virtuoso mindset is the key to achieving breakthrough success in business and life. By weaving grand piano performances into his presentations, Felipe taps into a universal language that transcends industries, cultures, and backgrounds, with insights that resonate deeply with audiences around the...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Gian Paul Gonzalez —the man behind the New York Giants’ iconic “All In” rally cry—for a powerful conversation on purpose, resilience, and showing up fully in life. From inspiring Fortune 500 companies to mentoring at-risk youth, Gian Paul shares what it truly means to live “all in”—at home, on stage, and in service to others. His stories...

 On the latest episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Aron Ralston for a powerful conversation about resilience, mindset, and finding meaning in the face of unimaginable adversity. Aron shares how being trapped by an 800-pound boulder became the catalyst for profound personal transformation—and how the “boulders” we all face can become unexpected blessings. Tune in to hear how Aron i...

On the latest episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis and Judi Holler have a high energy conversation about the significance of creativity in the future of work, embracing a broader vision of what is possible, and the power of improv in life and business. Tune in to hear how Judi empowers audiences to think big, feel seen, and express themselves fully. Show Notes In this episode of Backstage Pass, h...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis sits down with Tara Renze to explore how emotional intelligence, self-acceptance, and pursuing fulfillment over happiness can transform lives. Hear how Tara helps audiences “Be Who You Came To Be” and why her work is resonating now more than ever.  Show Notes In this engaging conversation, host Gail Davis speaks with Tara Renze, an award-winning keynot...

On this episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis is joined by Kim Becking who shares what it takes to lead with resilience and build unstoppable momentum. From embracing failure to fostering emotional intelligence, Kim explores practical ways to help teams thrive in times of change and uncertainty.  Show Notes In this energizing and insightful episode, bestselling author, change and resilience strate...

Gail Davis is joined by David Allison who dives into why understanding what people care about leads to better leadership, stronger client relationships, and more impactful strategies. Show Notes David Allison, an expert in engagement and human values, discusses the importance of understanding values over demographics in various fields such as sales, leadership, and organizational culture. He empha...

On the latest Backstage Pass episode, Gaby Natale joins Gail Davis as she shares how to embrace a pioneer spirit through innovation, resilience, and breaking barriers. Show Notes As the first Latina to win three Daytime Emmys® back-to-back, Gaby Natale has consistently demonstrated her ability to innovate and lead in diverse spaces. And now - as a speaker and emcee - she uses her signature framewo...

On the latest Backstage Pass episode, Gail Davis sits down with former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino to explore the out-of-this-world lessons he learned in space. From teamwork and communication to overcoming obstacles, Mike shares invaluable insights that apply far beyond the cosmos. Show Notes Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut and celebrated space walker who repaired the Hubble Space Teles...

Gail Davis is joined by Suneel Gupta who discusses how to practically manage energy and bolster emotional resilience in order to unite our wellbeing and performance at work. Show Notes Today we’re joined by Suneel Gupta, an expert on how well-being impacts performance. He’s a healthcare entrepreneur, best-selling author, and visiting scholar at Harvard Medical School. He helps people bolster their...

Gail Davis is joined by John Register who discusses transforming adversity into advantage, what holds people back from moving past difficult times, and how his message provides audiences a necessary perspective shift. Show Notes In this episode of Backstage Pass we’re joined by John Register. John is a Paralympic silver medalist, army combat veteran, TedX speaker, author, and CPAE. Recently, he wa...

Gail Davis is joined by Lisa Bodell who dissects the difference between productivity and simplicity, how workplace culture influences the complexity of our work, and using simplicity as an employee retention strategy. Show Notes Today our guest is the founder and CEO of FutureThink, Lisa Bodell.  Lisa is a futurist and a global leader on collaboration and innovation. She ranks in the top 50 speake...

Gail Davis is joined by seasoned event strategist Heather Davis who shares what makes an event a home run, factors that play into speaker selection, and the challenges she faces behind the scenes. Show Notes In this episode of Backstage Pass we’re joined by events strategist Heather Davis, Corporate Vice President with New York Life. She drives high-impact outcomes through oversight of three domai...

Gail Davis is joined by Sandra Joseph & Ron Bohmer who discuss finding success by removing our masks to be our authentic selves and how they uniquely blend their captivating Broadway talent with impactful storytelling at each event. Show Notes In this episode of Backstage Pass, we’re joined by Sandra Joseph & Ron Bohmer. Often referred to as Broadway royalty, this couple fell in love both...

Gail Davis is joined by Ron White who discusses the importance of memory in business, relationships, and self confidence. Show Notes Today we’re joined by two-time USA memory champion Ron White. His presentation addresses the skill of memorization and why it’s so important in business and in relationships. Not only that, but having a good memory can boost your confidence as well because it allows...

Gail Davis is joined by Nando Parrado who shares the powerful message behind his story of survival and why it continues to resonate with generations and audiences of all ages today. Show Notes We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Nando Parrado, the first speaker ever booked by GDA Speakers 25 years ago. Nando is the hero of a 1972 plane crash in the Andes Mountains, which he discusses in to...

Gail Davis is joined by Erica Dhawan who shares her wisdom on communication in today's digital culture - including using connectional intelligence and reading digital body language in our modern workplace. Show Notes In this episode we’re joined by Erica Dhawan. Erica is a leading authority in the world of teamwork, collaboration, and innovation, as well as a Wall Street Journal best-selling...

Gail Davis is joined by Leslie Morgan Steiner who recounts her unexpected life experiences that led her to share her inspiring story - with a message that is equally applicable for both men and women. Show Notes Today our guest is New York Times bestselling author Leslie Morgan Steiner. Leslie is also a TED Talk veteran, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a thought leader on women's lea...

Gail Davis is joined by John Sanei who shares how to approach AI with optimism and how the combination of neuroscience, business strategy, and psychology impact our collective futures. Show Notes In this episode we visit with John Sanei who is an expert on human psychology, neuroscience, and business strategy. As a Certified Futures Strategist, he combines his expertise to understand how these asp...

Gail Davis and her guest Tim Sanders discuss how to use AI to reframe business challenges as prediction problems. Show Notes For our first episode we’re welcoming Tim Sanders, the Vice President of Customer Insights at Upwork and a New York Times best-selling author. Tim, recently appointed as an executive fellow at Harvard Business School's Digital Data Design Institute, shares his mission t...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Michelle Gielan , former national CBS News anchor turned positive psychology researcher and bestselling author, to explore how the way we communicate can influence happiness, resilience, and performance. Michelle shares the science behind positive psychology and practical ways to put it into action at work and at home. Sh...

In this episode of the GDA Podcast , Kyle Davis sits down with Diana Kander , serial entrepreneur and innovation expert, to explore how curiosity can help organizations better understand their customers, challenge assumptions, and create a stronger culture of innovation. Diana explains why experience and success can sometimes make businesses overly confident in what they think customers want. She...